News

We were in for some interesting racing conditions as inconsistent and light winds threatened some of the race schedule at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Toulon. But the crowds were lucky enough to witness the full show whilst basking under the Mediterranean sun, surrounded by beautiful, mountainous scenery.

Day 1 of racing came down to tactics rather than speed due to the light and “flaky” breeze which ended with a tie on points between Oracle Team USA and Land Rover BAR. The day demonstrated the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the America’s Cup with Land Rover BAR jumping from last place to first in the space of two races. The stars of the day though were Artemis Racing who dominated with two first places and a third.

Day 2 saw Nathan Outteridge’s Olympic skills at play once more as Artemis Racing took first place in the first race of the day and Soft Bank Team Japan took second – an improvement on the poor performance from Day 1.

The second race of the day saw Land Rover BAR storm to the front of the race. By the time they came to cross the finish line, their lead gap was so big (1min 51) that they passed the rest of the fleet who were still trying to complete the 4th leg. Home team, Groupama Team France took second place.

In the final race, despite a good performance from Groupama Team France, Dean Barker of Soft Bank Japan took first place which earnt them second place in the regatta.

Artemis Racing’s fantastic performance resulted in three race wins out six and sealed their regatta victory in the Bay of Toulon. However, Land Rover BAR’s 4th position of the final race secured their place at the top of the overall standings where they’ve now taken the America’s Cup World Series lead by 14 points.

The Final Show Down

There is only one America’s Cup World Series to go and we’re off to Fukuoka, Japan for Asia’s first hosting of an America’s Cup race within the sport’s 165 year history. The city will be buzzing with excited crowds and nail biting fans as the teams battle it out one last time - the winner of which will take a two point lead into the double round robin Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers in Bermuda in May 2017. The team finishing second will take one point which could play to their advantage in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. Take a look at the racing schedule here.

Do you want be a part of history? Join us in Bermuda next year to watch the best sailors battle it out for the 35th America’s Cup. We can help organise your trip and because we know how important it is to get the best racing views, our exclusive accommodation packages include official on the water spectator tickets - so you won’t miss a thing. Find out more here.

With the next stage of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series just around the corner, we take a look back at some of the highlights from Portsmouth and look forward to Toulon…

Portsmouth was a spectacular event by all means, with the unpredictable British weather on its best behaviour and over 130,000 spectators who flocked to this historic naval city for the best view of the sailing action. There were some royal visitors too including HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Official Race day 1

The teams would have preferred more than the 7 knots of breeze, but still we saw some great racing. The first race of the day saw three teams incur penalties but Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France got away well. Despite the fact their boat needed some maintenance the night before, the French sailors oozed confidence as they took the lead with ease. Groupama Team France won the race with a 1 minute 38 second gap to second place, Oracle Team USA.

Race 2 saw Land Rover BAR showed their knowledge on home waters to take the lead, flying past the fleet and managing to stay out of trouble at the second mark. Light winds and a strong current caused the other teams to struggle and fight for positions and the home fans were thrilled as they flew across the finish line, taking the race win.

Race 3 saw Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France get away without penalties and by the second gate, the two boats were split only by SoftBank Team Japan. It was cat and mouse for a while between both teams but yet again Sir Ben Ainslie’s clever tactics saw Land Rover BAR take the win.

Official Race day 2 - Super Sunday

A big day with double points on offer and excellent foiling conditions on the water. Land Rover BAR started at the top of the first day leader board and their confidence saw them take the lead at the start of the Race 1. As the other teams flew down wind at 22 knots to catch them up, it quickly turned into a two boat duel but Land Rover BAR were victorious in crossing the finish line first as their lead was never fully challenged.

Race 2 proved testing but Oracle Team USA took the lead early on. We saw some great sailing from Emirates Team New Zealand and SoftBank Team Japan, but it was Land Rover BAR who managed to get a smoother run on the foils and started closing down Oracle Team USA. The Americans got the best out of the wind though and they took their first victory of the weekend.

The final race saw Oracle Team USA take the lead once again, with Land Rover BAR as a strong challenger and SoftBank Team Japan doing their best to close the gap. Although Oracle Team USA were first over the line, Land Rover BAR took the win of the weekend and also celebrated being top of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series leader board.

Toulon

There has been a lot of buzz since the America's Cup World Series Portsmouth event. The 2016 Olympic Games saw a wealth of medals claimed by America’s Cup sailors. Gold medals went to Land Rover BAR’s Giles Scott and Emirates Team New Zealand’s Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen of Artemis Racing took silver as did SoftBank Team Japan’s Jason Waterhouse. As the competitors return to their teams, bringing them back up to full strength once more, they will no doubt boost team moral and confidence too.

In the run up to Toulon, social media has been alive with videos, pictures and news of the sailors’ preparations. SoftBank Team Japan made the big announcement that they’d cracked the foiling tack earlier in the year whilst training in Bermuda. This manoeuvre, regarded as the “Holy Grail” of the America’s Cup, could be a real game changer for the team as it greatly reduces the time deficit incurred by slowing down to change tack. Soon after the announcement, Oracle Team USA claimed they’d also achieved the same success in training.

Staying up on the foils provides the sailors with a huge speed advantage and so Toulon will be an interesting battle ground for those who can perform this manoeuvre under racing conditions. The pressure is also on for Land Rover BAR – can they maintain their position at the top of the leader board or will Emirates Team New Zealand close the gap?

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all things sailing and what’s happening in Bermuda as we head towards the America's Cup finals in 2017!

When it comes to food and drink, Bermuda is a haven of choice! As a total melting pot of cultures, it benefits from the many spices each nationality has brought along over the last 400 or so years. International Business is a dominant industry in Bermuda and so the level of restaurants on the island are extremely diverse, ranging from high end, white table cloth to outdoor fish shacks. On only 21 square miles it’s easy to find everything to satisfy any craving you may have but here are a few of our top picks:

Best Sushi: $$$

Pearl is a welcome addition to Bermuda's Sushi scene. Located above Port O' Call Restaurant on Front Street, Pearl enjoys the privilege of a balcony with stunning views over Hamilton Harbour. The chefs strive to use the freshest fish available, local tuna or yellowtail, and create innovative rolls using such ingredients as truffle and yuzu.

Best Fish Sandwich: $

Art Mel’s Spicy Dicey - 9 St. Monica's Road, Hamilton.

Hand’s down Art Mel’s Spicy Dicey serves the best fish sandwich in the world. Don’t believe me? Check Trip Advisor! This tiny fish shack tucked away in a residential neighbourhood is certainly worth the trek. The sandwich is the size of your head, and is perfect for sharing! If you wish to try it “true Bermudian” style, order it on raisin bread, with coleslaw, cheese and hot sauce. All Bermudians agree it is the best!

Best “Toes in the sand” Experience: $$$

The sand and surf are just feet away at this unique beach restaurant of the Elbow Beach Bermuda resort, serving bistro menus in a casual environment. Open seasonally, it is the only restaurant in Bermuda where you can dine with your toes in the super fine pink sand. With salads, burgers, sandwiches and fresh fish on the menu, it’s sure to delight all ages. Great for families to allow the children to play between courses!

Best Innovative Menu: $$$

Just off Front Street down Bermuda House Lane, Bolero opened in March 2007 and is owned and operated by British chef, Jonny Roberts. Enjoy contemporary European cuisine on the porch or inside the dining room, which is adorned with gilt-framed mirrors and local art. Here you'll experience the "buzz" of a casual but classy Parisian brasserie. Menu changes weekly with offerings such as escargot, foie gras and lambs tongue with a “twist”. Certainly not to be missed!

Tel: 441-292-4507

Newest “Hot Spot”: $$$

An unparalleled epicurean experience awaits at the newest culinary hotspot from internationally acclaimed chef, Marcus Samuelsson. Marcus’ celebrates the best of Bermuda with vibrant flavours, warm hospitality and the freshest seasonal ingredients. Marcus Samuelsson presents a colourful menu where signature specialities are artfully prepared on the wood-burning grill in the open kitchen, infusing the perfect blend of local flavours into world-class dining.

Tel: 441-295-3000

Best “Pub” Fare: $

The Frog & Onion Pub was created and opened in 1992 by a Bermudian (the Onion) and a Frenchman (the Frog) and is Bermuda's most unique Pub. Housed in the mid 18th century Cooperage in the historic Royal Naval Dockyard, it is only a leisurely walk from King's and Heritage Wharfs and the ferry dock. Serving traditional fare such as “bangers’n’mash” and “fish’n’chips” it certainly lives up to the island's British heritage!

Tel: 441-234-2900

BEST COFFEE SHOP: $$

Likened to something you might find in New York or San Francisco, this trendy place serves some of the best coffee in Bermuda. But it's not just the coffee that we love - Devils Isle serve a range of delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with quality and locally sourced food at the heart of their philosophy.

For a small island, there is so much to do in Bermuda! From land to sea and with Bermuda’s diverse culture and history, you’ll be able to find something that speaks uniquely to you where you can create your own “Bermuda Experience”. To get you started though, here are some of our top picks for things to do:

1. Nicknamed the Shipwreck Capital of the World, Bermuda is home to over 300 shipwrecks waiting for you to explore. Multiple dive shops are located all over the island and they can arrange a full day dive so you can explore what these amazing shipwrecks have to offer.

2. Snorkelling in Bermuda is uniquely perfect. You get crystal clear waters of the Atlantic, stunningly beautiful coral reefs, numerous shipwrecks in shallow waters, submerged caves and breathtakingly beautiful marine life. Parrot fish are known to swim close to shore and these magical and colourful fish are a sight to see.

3. Either by jet ski, kayak, or stand up paddle board, explore the many coves, inlets and protected bays Bermuda has to offer. See fish, turtles and long-tails (a native bird to the island) in their natural habitat.

4. The beautiful Atlantic Ocean is home to many species including grouper, rockfish, snapper, tuna, dolphin fish and more. Charter boats make daily full or half-day trips to the banks where fishermen can indulge in deep sea fishing, trying to hook the big ones in the wahoo and tuna family.

5. Home to the most golf courses per square mile in the world, Bermuda golf courses offer spectacular ocean views and lush green expanses that you will rarely find anywhere in the world.

6. Learn the art of perfumery and create your own customized scent with Master Perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone at Stewart Hall in St. George's. In the charming confines of Bermuda's oldest town, immerse yourself in the history of perfume from Ancient Greece to contemporary Madison Avenue. Isabelle's intimate seminars, of no more than five people at a time, are built around spirited discussions and full interactive participation. Try your hand at the various families of scent and their respective olfactory pyramid, educate yourself on natural essential oils and specialty aroma molecules. In less than four hours you'll have the knowledge to dazzle friends and family with your command of the art of perfumery.

7. Learn about the rich history of Bermuda, local traditions, and the story behind Gosling’s Rum, Bermuda’s oldest business, on a private rum tasting tour. . A ‘rumologist’ will introduce you to a local liqueur and three award-winning rums as well as let you sample local rum cake made with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. Watch as they prepare Bermuda’s national drink, the DARK ‘N STORMY®, and discover the true secrets of the Bermuda Rum Swizzle.

8. Located in Hamilton Parish Bermuda, Crystal Caves is one of the largest and most famous caves on the island. It is about 36 meters (120 feet) below the ground level. With its dramatic formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which are crystal-like pointed structures naturally formed out of limestone rocks, the views are stunning. There is a lake called the Cahow Lake within the caves complex and it has crystal clear water, and you can walk over a pontoon bridge that goes across the lake. The lake has a depth of 17 meters (55 feet).

9. The Town of St. George is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the oldest English-speaking colonial town still in existence. It is home to a plethora of cultural experiences. Take a walking tour and wander narrow streets with names such as Old Maid’s Lane, Printer’s Alley and Featherbed Alley. Visit one of the many museums such as the World Heritage Centre, St. George’s Historical Society Museum, Bermuda National Trust Museum, Bermudian Heritage Museum, and St. Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in the Western Hemisphere Fluster.

10. Experience Bermuda on Horseback. You can ride all throughout the year in Bermuda along the beaches, the old railway trails or through the lush hilly landscapes. Choose to be part of group or book in private.

Of course a lot of these activities are combined with trips to Bermuda's beautiful beaches. Enjoy the contrast of the pink sand and turquoise water between the shoreline and outlying reefs, and the dark blue of the ocean beyond the reefs and land.

Following the passage of Hurricane Joaquin on Sunday night, the cargo ship carrying 43 containers of America's Cup 'material' arrived on Monday evening, including the television production truck and the TV helicopter.

Two sailing teams are in Bermuda to train on Hamilton Harbour this week, with Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan entered in the Argo Gold Cup match racing event.

ORACLE TEAM USA is planning to sail its test boat - the AC45S - over the next several days before switching into race mode.

Meanwhile, Land Rover BAR has just launched its new test boat, dubbed "T2" from its home base in Portsmouth.

Organizers are working at full pace to prepare the Event Village along Front Street, along with getting organized for the on-water race programme.

The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series is coming to Bermuda... just over a week to go!